A/N: Alright, got this last chapter before the epilogue up finally (the site was acting up otherwise this would've been up a little sooner). It's a little shorter than the last couple, but I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 4 - Family

"John," Elizabeth smiled when the man entered her office. "How are you feeling?"

"Good," he replied with a nod. "Doc says everything checks out. I'm back on full duty tomorrow."

Still smiling, Elizabeth said, "That's good to hear."

"I thought so," he agreed lightly.

The expedition leader shook her head in amusement, but John preempted whatever she was going to say — seeing the look in her eyes — by speaking first.

"So," he drawled. "You wanted to see me?"

"Just to make sure you're doing alright," Elizabeth assured him. Sitting back in her chair, she commented lightly, "I haven't seen much of you lately."

Rubbing the back of his neck, John averted his eyes by doing a cursory sweep of the room, and shrugged. "Just recovering," he responded with a forced smile.

Her expression said she knew he was bullshitting her. But she didn't call him on it, something he was grateful for. The truth was he had spent most of the last couple days hanging out with Daniel, catching up and avoiding the rest of the expedition. Cam and Jack joined them some as well. Ronon too, though he and Rodney seemed to give John space to spend time with the archaeologist — or at least Ronon understood the need for it and convinced Rodney. John had had to have a conversation with Teyla, basically explaining the situation with him and Daniel as he had done with Ronon; it went better than he was expecting, but mainly because Teyla was Teyla and could read what he didn't say a majority of the time. Daniel had had a similar conversation with Cam. Even though the other pilot hadn't pushed for information, both Daniel and John agreed he deserved to know. He took everything in with an ease and understanding that reminded John why they'd become friends back in flight school. Jack had already known, so he had helped run interference with everyone else.

John could tell Elizabeth was more than curious, but it wasn't really a conversation he wanted to have with her. If Jack hadn't assured him he'd handle things on Earth, John would be more concerned about that, and potentially losing Atlantis, but he trusted the general — he'd earned it. So, he tried to make a quick and easy escape to avoid the expedition leader's questions. "Well… If that's all you needed…" He started to leave when her voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Actually… John… I was hoping we could talk." Her voice was soft, and cautious, but still left no room for doubt that it was an order.

Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes for a moment before turning to face his boss with a smile. "About what?"

Raising an eyebrow at him, the corner of Elizabeth's mouth turned up. "Did you really think we wouldn't need to have a chat about this?"

"I was hoping," he admitted in a mumble, shrugging.

She raised both her eyebrows, and he sighed.

Dropping down into the chair in front of her desk, he was resigned when he asked, "Ok, so what do you wanna know?"

Elizabeth leaned forward on her desk, and began calmly. "John… I've read your file more than once. Cover to cover. The only mention of a brother was Dave." When John didn't speak or react, she sighed, and continued, "General O'Neill told me to look closer." He still didn't say anything, and though she adjusted her head in an attempt to get him to look her in the eye, John still would not look at her directly. Elizabeth shrugged. "When I went back over it, I did find where General O'Neill had made Dr. Jackson your next of kin," she admitted, but then added, "However, I still couldn't find any other connection."

John finally took a breath, and met her eyes. "It's in there," was all he said.

Narrowing her eyes, Elizabeth asked, "Where?" Turning sympathetic, yet frustrated, she pointed out, "John, your whole life is in that file, and I could find no instance where you and Daniel crossed paths before Antarctica."

"We were kids," John shrugged.

Elizabeth opened her mouth — seemingly about to argue more — when she paused, and then frowned. "Are you talking about the time you were missing when you were twelve?"

John shook his head. "I wasn't missing." When she looked about to speak, he added, "My dad just didn't know where I was. But I was fine."

There was a long moment where the expedition leader just stared at him. When she spoke, it was slowly, and her voice was cautious. "John… What exactly happened? There's a small part there that's redacted. The rest just says you were missing, but recovered and returned home to your father. I just assumed the redacted part involved police reports."

His face held a sardonic half smile. "Partially, yeah," John admitted. Shrugging, he told her, "The redacted parts contain case numbers. Both police and social services."

"'Social services'?" she repeated. Then her face lightened as realization hit. Elizabeth sighed. "You mean foster care. That's how you met Daniel."

John nodded. "Yep." Seeing her run a hand across her mouth in disbelief and sympathy, he rolled his eyes and shrugged. "I left home. When I got picked up, I wouldn't tell them who I was. So, I was a John Doe. They stuck me in a foster home until they could figure out who I was. Took 'em a while."

"And Daniel?" Elizabeth wondered quietly.

"Was in the same foster home," John confirmed. He smirked when he added, "We shared a bunk bed."

The smile she tried to produce failed, and Elizabeth sighed, looking down for a moment. "Why… John… Why would you run away?" She looked up at him, shaking her head, baffled.

Rolling his eyes, John stood quickly. "Look, are we done rehashing my childhood now?"

His abrupt change in attitude startled her. Elizabeth's eyes widened as she leaned back to observe him closer. Then she deflated some when she remembered something. "That was right after your mother died, wasn't it?" His face hardened, and the expedition leader apologized quickly. "I'm sorry," Elizabeth told him sincerely, holding up a placating hand. "I shouldn't have pried."

John slowly forced his body to relax. He pasted on a fake smile and shrugged. "It's fine. Can I go now?"

Sighing, Elizabeth nodded. "Sure," she smiled, even though it wavered slightly.

Nodding, he turned to leave again, but again was stopped by her voice.

"John?" Even with his back to her, she knew he rolled his eyes before he turned back to her with a completely neutral expression. Narrowing her eyes slightly, she asked somberly, "Are we ok?"

A little more of the tension left his body, and his smile became more genuine. "We're good Elizabeth," John nodded.

Smiling, she nodded as well. "Good."

He turned to leave for the third time, but this time he paused on his own. John didn't turn back, just looked over his shoulder to tell her quietly, "Ya know… Daniel's my brother… But… You guys… You're family too."

John was gone before Elizabeth could even process what he'd said. When she did, she smiled.

0

Major Lorne was transporting Jack, Cam, and Daniel back to Earth via Midway again. Landry still didn't trust John in a Puddle Jumper anywhere near Stargate Command — something that amused Jack to no end.

"It was lovely to see you all again. Hopefully next time will be under better circumstances," Teyla told the three men as they were preparing to leave.

"I wouldn't hold my breath if I was you," Jack smirked, but returned Teyla's Athosian farewell, leaning his forehead down to meet hers, with a genuine smile.

She repeated this gesture with Cam, and again with Daniel, who also gave her a hug and whispered something into her ear that made her smile and bow her head in reply. Teyla ignored both John and Rodney's questioning looks.

Sharing a nod with Ronon, Jack turned to John and said, "Try to stay out of trouble, Sheppard." His sarcasm made John grin, and Daniel and Rodney roll their eyes.

"No promises Sir," John replied with a shrug.

Giving a shrug of his own, Jack waved it away, retorting lightly, "Well, then at least get me out of Washington for a bit. I like the vacation. Just needs more fishing."

"Talk to Carson," John suggested. "He likes fishing."

Jack raised his eyebrows. "Really?" he drawled, intrigued. When John nodded, the general hummed to himself. "Next time," he stated categorically.

John grinned. "I'll let him know."

"You do that." And with that, Jack turned and headed into the Jumper, saying something to Lorne about letting him drive.

"'Next time'? Are you insane?" Rodney grumbled, but the others ignored him.

"Take care Sheppard," Cam said, holding out his hand, and pulling John in for a half hug when the other man grabbled his hand. "Try not to lose your memory," he added with a smirk and a final slap on the shoulder when he released his fellow lieutenant colonel.

"Try not to lose your pants," John shot back easily, then grinned. "But then again… Go ahead. Vala and I have a bet on how many times it happens before the end of the year."

Cutting in before Cam could form a comeback, Daniel held up a finger to John and said firmly, "No, no, no. You and Vala are not allowed to conspire together. I already warned both of you."

John shrugged, and told Daniel, "I don't remember that."

Rolling his eyes, Daniel shot back, "I call bullshit."

Smirking, John retorted, "Prove it."

Daniel shook his head, giving up, and pulled John in for a hug. "Stay safe little brother," he whispered.

"You too big brother," John whispered back as he returned the hug.

When they released each other, Daniel and Cam said their final goodbyes and turned toward the Jumper. The archaeologist paused, and turned back for a moment.

"Hey John…" Daniel smirked, then teased dryly, "Don't get amnesia again."

"Hey Danny… Don't get kidnapped again," John returned in the same manner.

They could hear both Cam and Jack chuckling and groaning, respectively, from the inside of the Jumper. Daniel just smiled and waved again before walking in as the ramp closed.

"I like him," Ronon grunted as they watched the Jumper leave.

John grinned, and while Teyla nodded her agreement with a smile, Rodney rolled his eyes. "Of course you do," the scientist mumbled. Shaking his head, he griped, "Can we go now? It's lunch time, and you know how my blood sugar gets."

A/N: Hope you liked this chapter! This is technically the end, but I am working on an epilogue that will hopefully be posted tonight or tomorrow. As always, reviews are greatly appreciated!